From childhood dreams to the world's biggest stage, Isaac del Toro's journey is about to take an exhilarating turn. After a heart-wrenching near-miss at the 2025 Giro d’Italia, where he led until the penultimate day, Del Toro is set to debut at the 2026 Tour de France, riding alongside the legendary Tadej Pogačar in his quest for a record-equalling fifth title. But here's the twist: Del Toro won't just be a spectator; he's an integral part of Pogačar's support team, a role he embraces as a learning opportunity. And this is where it gets even more fascinating...
Del Toro's rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Hailing from a cycling family in Ensenada, Mexico, he's been a star in the making since his junior years, racing in Europe with the Mexican A.R.Monex team. His breakthrough came with a stunning win at the 2023 Tour de l'Avenir, propelling him into the UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad. Now, at just 22, he's not only living his childhood dream of racing the Tour de France but doing so in the Mexican national champion's jersey, a source of immense pride. But here's where it gets controversial...
While Del Toro's primary role is to support Pogačar, he's also eyeing his own chances. He'll start his season at the UAE Tour, then join Pogačar at Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico, and Milano-Sanremo. But will he be content playing second fiddle, or will he seize opportunities to shine? Del Toro hints at a mix, stating, 'Some races are about taking chances and reaching a different level.'
The 2026 season promises to be a thrilling ride, with Pogačar aiming for Monument victories at Milano-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix before the Tour. Meanwhile, Del Toro's teammate, João Almeida, has a different plan, skipping the Tour to focus on the Giro and Vuelta. But the real question remains: Can Del Toro balance his supportive role with his own ambitions? Only time will tell, and we can't wait to find out. What do you think? Is Del Toro ready to challenge for stage wins, or should he focus solely on Pogačar's success? Let the debate begin!
